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Mortality, Temperature, and Public Adaptation Policy: Evidence from Italy

Author

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  • Filippo Pavanello

    (ifo Institute, LMU Munich, CESifo Research Network, Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment)

  • Giulia Valenti

    (Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice)

Abstract

In 2004, Italy introduced a national program to address heat-related health risks, combining public awareness campaigns, heat-wave warning systems, and hospital protocols. Leveraging administrative mortality data and high-frequency temperature variation, we show that the program reduced heat-related mortality by more than 57% on days at or above 30°C. To identify the mechanisms, we exploit the staggered introduction of heat-wave warning systems across provinces and show that treated areas experienced substantially larger reductions in heat-related mortality. We further document that information disclosure plays a key role in driving these reductions. Overall, our findings underscore the importance of public adaptation policies that rely on information provision to cost-effectively mitigate the health impacts of extreme temperatures.

Suggested Citation

  • Filippo Pavanello & Giulia Valenti, 2025. "Mortality, Temperature, and Public Adaptation Policy: Evidence from Italy," Working Papers 2025.35, Fondazione Eni Enrico Mattei.
    • Handle: RePEc:fem:femwpa:2025.35
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    JEL classification:

    • Q54 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Climate; Natural Disasters and their Management; Global Warming
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • H51 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Health

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